Anybody know where I can get good quality natural keyboards in taipei? Not Kuang Hwa, they don’t have it.
what is a natural keyboard? Isn’t plastic an unnatural substance?
I assume he means ‘ergonomic’ keyboards, like the ones with the left and right hand keys set angled away from each other. Can’t say I’ve seen any, but I haven’t been looking!
Heh - but I could go for a nice wooden keyboard 
As far as I know, they don’t sell them. I was talking to the Microsoft guys here a while back; apparently since they’re more expensive, they just didn’t sell at all (even though they’re MUCH better on your hands/wrists…).
I had to get mine in the states, and bring them back with me.
By the way, I’m on my second natural keyboard. I found out with my first that they are lactose-intolerant (in other words, they really don’t like milk). So be careful with your breakfast.
Try 3C in Neihu, where B&Q, Costco etc are, they had some the other day, not sure of the price though, but have also seen them at Guanghua, though not been down for a while.
You’d be better off taking a plain vanilla keyboard and using a screwdriver to convert it over to the Dvorak layout. Much better IMHO.
dvorak-keyboard.com/
cse.ogi.edu/~dylan/dvorak/
cse.ogi.edu/~dylan/dvorak/DvorakIntl.html
mwbrooks.com/dvorak/index.html
Very interesting, Blueface. Thanks.
A screwdriver would never be necessary, though; a slight change in software configuration and possibly some sticky labels are all that are needed. For Windows users it’s already built in. A paragraph from your first link;
“*Dvorak has been built into Microsoft Windows since version 3.0. In Windows 98, for instance, you can convert your keyboard instantly: go to Start, then Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click on “Keyboard”. Choose “Language” tab. Click “Properties”. For “Keyboard Layout”, choose “United States-Dvorak”, which is right under the U.S. default, “United States 101”. Windows may then ask for the Windows install disk to grab the layout. Click “OK” until you’re out, and you’re done! (In Windows XP, the route is: Start → Control Panel → Regional and Language Options → Languages → “Details” button → add (under Installed services) “English (United States) - United States Dvorak”.)”
The Dvorak system looks sensible and efficient, but surely it solves a different problem from that solved by ‘natural’ ergonomic keyboards. I don’t think the latter have really claimed to increase typing speed directly, but they are certainly much more comfortable than standard ones and reduce tiredness and muscle strain when typing for long periods. I had one in the UK and miss it.
Surely the best of both worlds would be to learn and use the Dvorak system, on a ‘natural’ keyboard?
Well, I for one hate sticky labels. 
But a flathead screwdriver really is necessary. Although you can change the keyboard configuration by through the software, the keyboard still [i]looks[/i] the same. (It’s always fun to watch someone without a clue sit down try to use a Dvorak keyboard. They are tapping away merrily and then “WTF!” 
Really, it only takes a few minutes to pop the keys off and rearrange them. I’ve been using a Dvorak layout for 6-7 years and I find it’s faster and my wrists don’t get sore.
I see what you mean now.
[quote=“blueface666”]I’ve been using a Dvorak layout for 6-7 years and I find it’s faster and my wrists don’t get sore.[/quote]Do you touch-type with the Dvorak keyboard? How long did it take you to learn?
[quote=“joesax”]
Only 2-3 days. Try it out…you’ll never want to go back to QWERTY.
[quote=“blueface666”][quote=“joesax”]
Only 2-3 days. Try it out…you’ll never want to go back to QWERTY.[/quote]
Unless you have to go to an internet cafe! 
[quote=“KellyG”][quote=“blueface666”][quote=“joesax”]
Only 2-3 days. Try it out…you’ll never want to go back to QWERTY.[/quote]
Unless you have to go to an internet cafe! [/quote]
That’s why I always carry a screwdriver. 
Bought myself an ACER Travelmate with a 5 degree keyboard (smiley). Much better on the wrists and posture (no need for screwdrivers/hammers). If you use a DVORAK keyboard, do you have any problems when you are faced with a conventional one (as when you are using someone elses computer)?
On the original question, I asked a few stallholders as Computex about natural keyboards, and all of them said they stopped making those a few years ago. Which is a shame, 'cause I’d liek to get a new keyboard, but I wouldn’t want to dump my current natural keyboard. They’re so much more comfortable to use :mrgreen: